Stowe Maries, Essex

Took a train to Stansted Airport, although it was a bus as far as Tottenham Hale, because of "engineering works". The bus route was slow and circuitous, but we got there eventually. Went through North London suburbs with Vietnamese, Turkish, Indian and Jewish communities. The train is fast and efficient.

Picked up our car - Citroen Picasso diesel – interesting, a high boxy thing like a van, but equipped like a car. Lots of goodies like parking sensors, cruise control, automatic traffic reports on the radio (RDS).

Used Google Map directions – Interesting and then by phone. They worked but you do need a map, because you keep seeing signs for places and you don't know if you are near them, or if they are any use to you. Also found English villages have nowhere to pull over and have a think.

Henry and Lillian's house & property are very impressive, while The village is really only a general store, church and petrol station. Henry took Alan for a fast spin in his TVR (fibreglass V8 sports coupe) and he loved it. We liked their new Jag in a different way.

Took a trip to Maldon on the river - very reminiscent of Port Fairy to me, but freezing cold and snowing at times. Nothing like our Maldon.

Tuesday morning and we will be leaving to go to Frank's near Cambridge. Hope it's warmer.